Study advanced topics in your final year, such as practical fire investigation, blood pattern analysis and wildlife forensics, alongside an extended research project.

Guest lectures from inspirational professionals will give you insights into specialist topics and you can tailor the degree to suit your specific interests.

We encourage you to do summer internships, and you can apply to study abroad for a year.

Where can it take me?

The knowledge and skills you'll gain will open up lots of career paths.

You could work with forensic science providers or the Police, or as a laboratory analyst or science teacher. Many students do further study or research, particularly in analytical chemistry or molecular biology.

Your analytical approach to problem-solving will be just as valued in other sectors, like financial services or law.

Content

The optional modules listed are those that are most likely to be available, but they may be subject to change.

Year zero (foundation year)

You will study:

Biology in Practice

Chemistry in Practice

Skills for Science

People and Science.

You normally need to pass your foundation year before going into year one.

Year one

You will study:

Chemistry in Context

Human Biological Systems

Scientific Investigation of Crime

Scientific Skills.

Year two

You will study:

Law and Expert Evidence

Forensic Analysis

Drugs and Toxicology.

Plus one of these pairs of modules:

Instrumental Analytical Science and Molecular Genetics

Instrumental Analytical Science and Medicinal Chemistry

Molecular genetics and Forensic Biology.

You'll need to achieve an average grade of 2:1 or above by the end of your second year to go into the third year. Students that don't achieve this will transfer to the third year of our BSc(Hons) qualification.

Placement year (if applicable)

If you study on the six year (sandwich) course, you'll spend a year away from the University on a work or study placement after Year two.

Depending on which you choose, you'll either complete a placement learning or learning and development module.

See the Placements and Fees sections for more information.

Year three

You will study:

Forensic Project.

Plus one optional module set from:

Advanced Analytical Science AND Forensic Analysis and Toxicology

Forensic Biology and Genetics AND Genomics Technologies.

Plus one optional module from:

Pathophysiology

Pharmacology and Toxicology

Forensic Psychology

Professional Practices in Applied Sciences*.

And one optional module from:

Environmental Forensics

Neuropharmacology

Science Communication.

Final year

You will study:

Research in Practice

Advanced Crime Scene Science

Wildlife Forensics

Forensic Science and Society.

*Compulsory if you do a placement.

The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we will inform you.

Learning and Teaching

Through a balanced mix of lectures, tutorials, workshops and laboratory work, you'll learn about the practical application of forensic science, and develop strong problem-solving and communication skills.

Search a crime scene at the Crime Scene House, examine the evidence, write a report for court and face questioning in our mock courtroom.

Attend guest lectures with professionals from forensic science, through our links with the Avon and Somerset Constabulary Scientific Investigations and a local Home Office forensic pathologist.

Learn about the problem solving approaches which sit at the heart of forensic science, and learn how to communicate scientific findings.

Indicative Additional Costs

Supplementary fee information

Your overall entitlement to funding is based on how long the course is that you're registered on. Standard funding is allocated based on the standard number of years that your course lasts, plus one additional year.

You'll apply for funding each year that you study and Student Finance will take into account how long the course is in each year that you apply. So if you register for the six year course and then transfer to the five year course, the number of years you can apply for funding will change. Student Finance will reassess your funding based on how many years you have been in study, not just those years for which you received student finance.

Always seek advice before taking any action that may have implications for your funding.

Typical offers

Tariff points: 48

GCSE: For all applicants, Grade C/4 or above in English Language, Mathematics and Double Science, or equivalent. Please note the University does not accept Level 2 Key Skills, Functional Skills or Certificates in Adult Numeracy and Literacy as suitable alternatives to GCSEs.

A-level subjects: Science AS or A2. Points from A-Level General Studies and AS-Level subjects (not taken onto full A-Level) can be included towards overall tariff. You must have a minimum of one A-Level.

Specific subjects: Science at GCSE, A or AS-Level

Relevant subjects: Maths

EDEXCEL (BTEC) Diploma: To include six units in a science subject.

Access: Achievement of the Access to HE Diploma; to include level 3 credits in Science.

Baccalaureate IB: A pass in a higher level science subject.

Entry requirements

This course is designed to accept a wide range of people with different educational backgrounds. You will be considered on an individual basis.

If you expect to achieve a higher tariff score, you may also be interested in our MSci Forensic Science course.

You will be required to achieve an average grade of 2:1 or above by the end of your second year in order to progress to the third year of the course. Students that do not achieve this will transfer to the third year of BSc(Hons) qualification.

If you are an international student your recommended route of study for this degree is through UWE Bristols International College which, upon successful completion to the required level and with good attendance, guarantees entry to Year 1 of the degree.

How to apply

UCAS Extra: Apply for this programme through UCAS Extra between 25 February and 4 July 2018. We aim to give you a response to your application within 21 days.